WISE - Quesenberry's Inc. of Big Stone Gap submitted the low bid in as many weeks on two school projects in Coeburn and Big Stone Gap.

Two weeks ago, the contractor was awarded the contract by the Wise County School Board to construct a new gymnasium and classroom additions to Coeburn Middle School. Tuesday's bid opening on the Powell Valley Primary School project, also for a new gym and classrooms, revealed Quesenberry's submitted the low bid on that project as well.

Ron Vicars, director of the county school division's business and finance department, said Wednesday that Quesenberry's submitted a base bid of $2.98 million on a 250-seat gym and three additional classrooms.

With a $3.4 million limit, the school board provided four options for the Powell Valley project. If contractors underbid the cost limit, more could be added to the project up to but not exceeding the limit. In Quesenberry's case, Powell Valley will get everything the architects recommended, including a bigger gym to accommodate seating for 500, plus three additional classrooms, or six new classrooms in all.

With all options now viable for Powell Valley Primary, the bid total is just under the $3.4 million limit. There was one other bidder on the project.

The board built an option into its Coeburn Middle School bidding process, too. In that case, Quesenberry's submitted a bid low enough to provide for a 500-seat capacity gym, too. Construction for both projects is expected to begin as soon as school lets out for the summer.

In other Wise County school-related matters, on Monday the school board reviewed a lease agreement to allow the Appalachia Service Project to house participants at Coeburn High School this summer. The ASP provides volunteers to fix homes for those who cannot afford to repair or weatherize their houses.

Under terms of the agreement, the ASP would pay $3,000 to the school division for the use of five classrooms as a sleeping area for volunteers and two classrooms for use as an office and sleeping space for staff. The ASP will have to subcontract with the school division for food services. The term of the lease is June 4 through Aug. 2.

The school board also altered its meeting schedule for the remainder of this month. The board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday instead of May 14, and moved the May 28 meeting to May 21, to accommodate the schedules of board members.